The Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections at the start of May has two explicit references to tackling homophobia; both bullying in schools and homophobicly motivated hate crimes in wider society.
Speaking ahead of the European Parliament debate on homophobia in Europe (Wednesday 25th April 2007 ), London's Liberal Democrat MEP and member of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup Baroness Sarah Ludford has lambasted the Polish government's record on LGBT rights. Baroness Ludford said, "MEPs are likely to be highly critical of the Polish government in our debate and resolution on homophobia in Europe since the alarmingly homophobic stance of the Polish authorities is in blatant contradiction to the human rights obligations of EU membership."
North West England Liberal Democrat MEP Sajjad Karim has revealed that in a crucial vote on a European Parliament resolution condemning rising homophobia in Europe last week, only one British Conservative MEP voted for the resolution, the rest present voting against or abstaining. This is in sharp contrast to Liberal Democrat MEPs, all of whom voted for the resolution.
DELGA's members and supporters are invited to join in a demonstration being held by the British Youth Council on International Day Against Homophobia, this Thursday 17th May, from 12:00pm to 2:30pm outside the Polish embassy. As part of the demo young people will be writing to their MEP's and MP's asking them to support motions which denounce the human rights abuses which have been sanctioned by the Polish government.
Baroness Sarah Ludford, London's Liberal Democrat MEP and member of the European parliament's gay and lesbian rights 'Intergroup' has welcomed the decision of the European Court of Human Rights which found Polish authorities in violation of several Articles under the European Convention after they refused permission in 2005 for a march to be organised by gay rights campaigners.
Richard Brunstrom, the Chief Constable of North Wales has not been disciplined for calling homosexuals "queer".